N.B. SPCA responded to more than 3K animal cruelty reports in 2024

The New Brunswick SPCA says it responded to more than 3,000 animal cruelty and neglect calls in 2024.

The New Brunswick SPCA responded to more than 3,000 reports of animal cruelty and neglect in 2024, which was the busiest years in the organization’s nearly 145-year history.

The N.B. SPCA, which started in 1881, said it received 3,092 animal protection calls and 1,519 animal control calls in 2024, which represented an 8.5 per cent increase over 2023. Animal cruelty complaints have risen by almost 50 per cent since 2020, according to the SPCA’s annual report.

“We continue to see many serious cases of animal abuse and neglect, with most of our calls involving issues such as wellness checks, inadequate food, water or shelter, and pets who are injured or receiving inadequate medical care,” said Tony Porter, chief animal officer with the SPCA, in the report. “I would like to thank our animal protection officers for all that they have done over the past year to ensure that New Brunswick animals are treated with the utmost care. Their work has not gone unnoticed, from both large and small seizures of animals in extreme conditions, to educating owners on the proper care of their pets.

“Our officers regularly see the worst of the worst, but they continue to work toward putting an end to the needless suffering of animals in our province.”

According to the report, more than 1,200 domestic animals and 28 agricultural animals were removed from unsafe situations in 2024.

The SPCA said 17 cruelty cases are pending before the courts.

“This is putting an increased strain on NBSPCA resources and our team is always working on finding solutions to address this challenge,” said Scott Elliott, president of the board of directors. “The NBSPCA remains committed to increased investment in education, early intervention and improved access to veterinary care, with the goal of reversing this troubling trend over time.”

The annual report says 2024 expenses were $2.44 million and revenue was $2.96 million.

Executive director Lesley Rogers said several shelters are overwhelmed and at risk of closing.

“We cannot continue to respond at this scale without long-term solutions,” Rogers said.

Rogers explains instability in the economy could play a factor in the rise in reports.

“It’s sort of the socioeconomic fallout from everything that’s happened in the last five to six years since COVID increased the cost of living, instability in the economy,” Rogers said.

The SPCA notes it is talking with the New Brunswick government about funding levels.

“Currently we receive $1 million in the animal protection grant from the province,” Rogers said. “Our costs are substantially higher than that to do that service.

“We’re talking to them about how we can work better to provide a predictable, stable environment and full funding for these costs each year at budget time.”

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Josh Smith

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